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Men’s Soccer Team Welcomes 13-Year-Old

UConn's men's soccer team signed Maddox Bruening, 13, of South Glastonbury, to the team on Aug. 22. (Steven Lewis/Athletic Communications)

The UConn men’s soccer team signed a new team member Tuesday afternoon.

At 2:30 p.m. in Laurel Hall, Maddox Bruening, a 13-year-old from South Glastonbury, Connecticut, was introduced as the newest member of the Husky team at a press conference that included his parents, Joey and Sherry, as well as the UConn coaching staff and team.

Maddox Bruening, 13, newest member of UConn’s men’s soccer team.

UConn received a special National Letter of Intent from Bruening, who joined the program through his participation in Team IMPACT, a nonprofit with mission of improving the quality of life for children facing life-threatening and chronic illnesses. He has an illness known as eosinophilic esophagitis, a chronic condition that causes inflammation of the esophagus.

“I’m very excited to join the team. I’ve met most of the guys and I am happy to be here,” said Bruening, who said he plays midfield.

Assistant coach Andrew Parker welcomed Bruening to the program, offering him a UConn jersey, hat and soccer scarf as his first official team gear as a member of the Huskies.

“We’re happy to have Maddox as part of our team,” said Parker. “We know he will offer us way more than we could ever offer him.”

After he signed his official letter, Bruening answered questions from his teammates – including one who asked whether he had a favorite player. Bruening answered: sophomore Niko Petridis, who he met first.

Since its inception in 2011, Team IMPACT has matched over 1,200 children to more than 450 colleges or universities in 46 states.